WO2023171223A1

WO2023171223A1 - Multi-directional input device

Info

Publication number: WO2023171223A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/004408
Authority: WO
Inventors: 伸之二宮
Original assignee: アルプスアルパイン株式会社
Priority date: 2022-03-08
Filing date: 2023-02-09
Publication date: 2023-09-14
Also published as: JPWO2023171223A1

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention is directed to a multi-directional input device characterized by comprising: a housing; an operation member capable of executing a tilting motion to pivot around a first pivot axis; a first linked member that pivots in conjunction with a tilting operation of the operation member, the first linked member having a first pivotably supported section supported by the housing so as to be pivotable around the first pivot axis, and a contact section in contact with the operation member; and a first pivoting detection unit that detects the pivoting of the first linked member. The first linked member has a flexible section that is located between the contact section and the first pivotably supported section, and that serves as a flexural fulcrum for flexure of a first part including the contact section relative to a second part including the first pivotably supported section, and the flexure of the first part based on external force received by the contact section from the operation member is detected by a flexure detection unit. The present invention makes it possible to prevent a pushing motion of the operation member from affecting the detection of a pivoting motion.

Description

multi-directional input device

The present invention relates to a multidirectional input device that performs input by tilting an operating member in a desired direction.

As a multidirectional input device that performs input by tilting an operating member such as an operating lever, Patent Document 1 discloses a multidirectional switch that can be made thinner and smaller, and has a light operating force. This multi-directional switch is provided with a curved surface shape such that as the operating lever is tilted, the pressure contact position between the lower end of the operating lever and the movable member moves toward the center axis of the operating lever.

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a multi-directional input device with a good operating feel of the operating shaft. In this multi-directional input device, the operating shaft and the actuating member are spline-coupled, so when the operating shaft is rotated while the operating shaft is tilted, the operating member experiences friction between the bottom part and the bottom plate due to the elastic pressure of the biasing member. Even if the operating member is spline-coupled to the operating shaft, the operating member rotates along with the operating member without slipping on the bottom plate.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-024777 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-305647

The multi-directional input device is provided with an interlocking member that interlocks with the tilting operation of the operating member. The interlocking member is pivotally supported by the casing, and is configured to rotate (swing) around a predetermined rotation axis with respect to the casing. This interlocking member is provided with a portion of a detection section that detects rotation of the interlocking member. For example, in the case of a magnetic detection unit, a magnet is provided on the interlocking member side, and a magnetic sensor is provided on the circuit board side. As the relative position between the magnet and the magnetic sensor changes due to the rotation of the interlocking member, the magnetic sensor detects a change in the magnetic force from the magnet, thereby detecting the rotation of the interlocking member. Further, when the operation member is pushed in (push operation), the interlocking member is displaced, and this displacement activates the push sensor to detect the push operation of the operation member. Since the interlocking member is involved in detecting both the tilting motion and the push motion of the operating member, it is necessary to prevent the push motion from affecting the detection of the rotation motion.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-directional input device that can prevent the push motion of an operating member from affecting the detection of rotational motion. .

One aspect of the present invention includes a housing, an operation member that can be tilted to rotate around a first rotation axis, and a first axis support that is supported by the housing so as to be rotatable around the first rotation axis. and a first interlocking member that has a connecting part in contact with the operating member and rotates in conjunction with a tilting operation of the operating member, and a first rotation detection section that detects rotation of the first interlocking member, The first interlocking member includes a first portion including a connecting portion, a second portion including a first pivot support, and a first interlocking member located between the first portion and the second portion so as to bend the first portion with respect to the second portion. a flexible part serving as a fulcrum, and the bending of the first part based on an external force received by the connecting part from the operating member is detected by a bending detection part. .

In this specification, the bending fulcrum means the part of the bending member that includes the part with the largest displacement, and the two parts (first part, second part) located on both sides of the bending fulcrum are: It undergoes relative displacement without substantially deforming itself. According to such a configuration, the displacement of the first portion and the displacement of the second portion can be separated by the flexible portion, so that the first shaft support is less susceptible to the push operation of the operating member. Therefore, the possibility of erroneously detecting a push motion of the operating member as a tilting motion is reduced.

In the above multi-directional input device, it is preferable that the detected portion of the bending detection portion is located further distal than the connecting portion when viewed from the flexible portion. As a result, the amount of displacement of the detected portion becomes larger than the amount of displacement of the connecting portion, making it easy to increase the sensitivity of displacement detection.

The multi-directional input device further includes a biasing member that applies a return force to the operating member to return the operating member to a neutral position, the biasing member biasing the operating member to move the first axis of the first interlocking member. The branch may be pressed against the casing, and the first portion may be configured to return to its bending state when the external force applied to the first interlocking member is released. The biasing force of the biasing member facilitates the return of the operating member to the neutral position and the return of the bending of the first portion.

In the multi-directional input device, the housing includes a holding portion that suppresses displacement of the second portion in a direction other than rotation around the first rotation axis when an external force is applied to the connecting portion. It is preferable that As a result, the displacement of the second portion when the first portion is bent is suppressed by the holding portion, and the first portion is bent without affecting the first shaft support.

The above multi-directional input device has a second shaft support rotatably supported by the casing around a second rotation axis intersecting the first rotation axis, and rotates in conjunction with a tilting operation of the operating member. The apparatus may further include a second interlocking member that moves and a second rotation detection section that detects rotation of the second interlocking member. As a result, the operation member is tilted around two axes and detected.

In the multi-directional input device, the first rotation detection section may include a magnetic force generation source provided in the second portion and a magnetic sensor provided at a position capable of measuring magnetic force from the magnetic force generation source. . By providing the magnetic force generation source in the second portion, it becomes less susceptible to the effects of bending of the first portion, and detection of rotation of the operating member becomes stable.

In the above multi-directional input device, the bending rigidity of the flexible portion includes the bending rigidity of the first continuous portion connected to the flexible portion in the first portion and the bending rigidity of the second continuous portion connected to the flexible portion in the second portion. It is preferable that it is lower than . Thereby, when the first portion is bent, it can be reliably bent at the flexible portion.

In the above multi-directional input device, the flexible portion, the first continuous portion, and the second continuous portion have portions integrally formed from the same member, and the flexible portion is connected to the first continuous portion and the second continuous portion. It may have a thinner portion than either of the installed portions. Thereby, even if the flexible portion, the first continuous portion, and the second continuous portion are integrally formed from the same member, the thin portion of the flexible portion can be reliably bent.

In the above multi-directional input device, the contact between the first shaft support and the casing may be rolling contact. In this case, the first rotation shaft may be configured to pass through a contact portion between the first shaft support and the casing. Furthermore, in the multidirectional input device, the convex portion and the concave portion may form a rolling contact when viewed along the first rotation axis. Due to such rolling contact, the frictional force at the contact portion is smaller than when the first shaft support and the housing are in sliding contact.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a multidirectional input device that can prevent the push operation of the operating member from affecting the detection of rotational motion.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a tilting operation by an operating member. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a multidirectional input device according to an embodiment. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the operation|movement of a 1st interlocking member. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates the operation|movement of a 1st interlocking member. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a push operation by an operating member. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a push operation by an operating member. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a push operation by an operating member. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a push operation by an operating member. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a push operation by an operating member. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a push operation by an operating member.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same members are given the same reference numerals, and the description of the members that have been described once will be omitted as appropriate.

(Configuration of multi-directional input device)
1 and 2 are perspective views illustrating a multidirectional input device according to this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configuration of the multidirectional input device according to this embodiment.
The multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment is a device that receives input by tilting the operating member 20 with respect to the housing 10.
In the description of the embodiment, among the rotation axes in the tilting operation of the operation member 20, the first rotation axis AX1 is parallel to the X axis, the second rotation axis AX2 is parallel to the Y axis, and the operation member 20 The axis at the neutral position (neutral axis AX3) is assumed to be parallel to the Z-axis.

The multidirectional input device 1 includes a housing 10, an operation member 20, a first interlocking member 30, a second interlocking member 40, a biasing member 50, a first rotation detection section 60, a second rotation detection section 70, and a displacement detection section. 80. The housing 10 is provided in a substantially box shape with an opening at the bottom. A hole 10h in which the operating member 20 is placed is provided in the upper center of the housing 10. A bottom plate member 15 is attached to the lower opening of the casing 10, and a frame plate member 17 is attached to the side surface of the casing 10. Note that the bottom plate member 15 may be configured as a part of the housing 10. Non-limiting examples of the constituent materials of the housing 10 and the bottom plate member 15 include metal materials such as iron-based materials, aluminum-based materials, and copper-based materials. The constituent material of the bottom plate member 15 may be made of a material different from that of the housing 10 (for example, a resin-based material such as polyester such as polybutylene terephthalate, or polyamide).

The operating member 20 has a cylindrical portion 21 disposed inside the casing 10 and an extending portion 22 that extends the hole 10h from the inside of the casing 10 to the outside. When the operating member 20 is in the neutral position, the extending direction D of the extending portion 22 is parallel to the Z-axis. On the other hand, when the operating member 20 is tilted, the extending direction D of the extending portion 22 is non-parallel to the Z-axis. Further, the operating member 20 can be tilted relative to the housing 10 around the first rotation axis AX1 and around the second rotation axis AX2, respectively.

The first interlocking member 30 has a first shaft support 31 that is rotatably supported by the casing 10 around a first rotation axis AX1, and is configured to rotate in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member 20. provided. The housing 10 is provided with a pressure receiving portion 11 that is pressed by the first shaft support 31 . The first interlocking member 30 is provided in a frame shape having a hole 30h in the center. The operating member 20 is inserted into the central hole 30h of the first interlocking member 30. A fitting protrusion 23 protrudes from the cylindrical portion 21 of the operating member 20, and the fitting protrusion 23 is slidably fitted into a fitting hole 30a provided in the first interlocking member 30. Non-limiting examples of the constituent material of the first interlocking member 30 include polyester such as polyacetal and polybutylene terephthalate, and resin-based materials such as polyamide. Details of the first interlocking member 30 will be described later.

The second interlocking member 40 has a second shaft support 41 that is rotatably supported by the housing 10 around a second rotation axis AX2, and is configured to rotate in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member 20. provided. The housing 10 is provided with a pivot contact portion 12 that comes into contact with the second pivot support 41 . The second interlocking member 40 has an arch portion 42 curved in an arch shape. A hole 42h is provided in the center of the arch portion 42 of the second interlocking member 40. The extending portion 22 of the operating member 20 is inserted into the central hole 42h of the arch portion 42 of the second interlocking member 40. The extending portion 22 of the operating member 20 is provided with a convex portion 22a, and when the operating member 20 is inserted into the hole 42h of the arch portion 42, the convex portion 22a comes into contact with the arch portion 42, and the extending portion 22 is slidably fitted into the hole 42h.

Furthermore, the second interlocking member 40 is arranged to straddle the first interlocking member 30 in the Y-axis direction. When the second interlocking member 40 straddles the first interlocking member 30 and the extension portion 22 of the operating member 20 is inserted into the hole 30h of the first interlocking member 30 and the hole 42h of the second interlocking member 40, these are connected to the housing. It is incorporated inside 10.

The biasing member 50 biases the operating member 20 to press the first shaft support 31 of the first interlocking member 30 against the housing 10, and also applies a return force to the operating member 20 to return the operating member 20 to the neutral position. Give. The biasing member 50 is, for example, a coil spring. The biasing member 50 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 21 of the operating member 20. A bottom cover 25 is provided at the bottom of the cylindrical portion 21 into which the biasing member 50 is inserted. The bottom cover 25 is provided so as to be slidable in the extending direction D of the extending portion 22 within the cylindrical portion 21 . The bottom cover 25 is in contact with the bottom plate member 15, and as a result, the biasing member 50 is sandwiched between the bottom cover 25 and the inner upper wall 21a of the cylindrical portion 21 (see FIG. 5), and is pressed against the operating member 20. Gives a biasing force.

When the operating member 20 is tilted, the bottom cover 25 in contact with the bottom plate member 15 receives a reaction force from the bottom plate member 15 and slides along the extending direction D, thereby pressing the biasing member 50. When the tilting operation of the operating member 20 is released, the operating member 20 returns to the neutral position due to the urging force of the urging member 50.

The first rotation detection section 60 detects the rotation of the first interlocking member 30, and the second rotation detection section 70 detects the rotation of the second interlocking member 40. The first rotation detection unit 60 includes, for example, a magnetic sensor 61 and a permanent magnet (magnet 62) that is a magnetic force generation source. Further, the second rotation detection section 70 includes, for example, a magnetic sensor 71 and a permanent magnet (magnet 72).

Magnetic sensors

61 and 71 are mounted on circuit board 90. A circuit board 90 on which

magnetic sensors

61 and 71 are mounted is arranged on the bottom plate member 15.

The magnet 62 facing the magnetic sensor 61 is housed in a pocket 30p provided on the first interlocking member 30, and the magnet 72 facing the magnetic sensor 71 is housed in a pocket 40p provided on the second interlocking member 40. The magnet 62 swings around the first rotation axis AX1 as the first interlocking member 30 rotates, and the magnet 72 swings around the second rotation axis AX2 as the second interlocking member 40 rotates. As the

magnets

62 and 72 swing, their relative positions with respect to the

magnetic sensors

61 and 71 fixed to the circuit board 90 change, and the resulting change in magnetic field strength is detected by the

magnetic sensors

61 and 71. The rotation of the first interlocking member 30 and the second interlocking member 40 is detected by signals output from the

magnetic sensors

61 and 71.

The bottom plate member 15 is provided with a component mounting portion 15a that extends laterally. A displacement detection section 80 is attached to the component attachment section 15a. The displacement detection unit 80 is, for example, a contact detection type switch such as a tact switch (registered trademark). The displacement detection unit 80 detects displacement of the operating member 20 in a direction different from both around the first rotation axis AX1 and around the second rotation axis AX2. In this embodiment, displacement along the extending direction of the operating member 20 is detected.

The first interlocking member 30 is provided with an arm portion 33 that extends above the displacement detection portion 80 from the side opposite to the side where the first shaft support 31 is provided. For example, when the operating member 20 is pushed in the opposite direction to the direction in which the operating member 20 extends from the housing 10 (hereinafter, this pushing operation is also referred to as a "pushing operation"), the fulcrum is placed on the first shaft support 31 side. position, and the arm portion 33 of the first interlocking member 30 is pushed toward the displacement detection portion 80 by the pressing force. As a result, the arm portion 33 comes into contact with the displacement detection section 80, and the displacement detection section 80 is activated. Here, details of the push operation will be described later.

(Tilt operation by operating member)
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a tilting operation by the operating member.
[P0] in FIG. 4 indicates a state in which the operating member 20 is in the neutral position. That is, when no operating force is applied to the operating member 20 and there is no load, the operating member 20 is at the neutral position as shown at [P0]. In the present embodiment, in the neutral position, the extending portion 22 of the operating member 20 extends in a direction intersecting both the first rotation axis AX1 and the second rotation axis AX2, specifically along the Z-axis direction. extend.

When an operating force is applied to the operating member 20 from the neutral position in the direction of arrow a, the first interlocking member 30 rotates around the first rotation axis AX1, and the operating member 20 rotates as shown in [P1] in FIG. Lean. When the operating force applied to the operating member 20 is released from the state shown in [P1], the operating member 20 returns to the neutral position shown in [P0] by the urging force of the urging member 50. On the other hand, when an operating force is applied to the operating member 20 from the neutral position in the direction of arrow b, the first interlocking member 30 rotates in the opposite direction around the first rotation axis AX1, and the operating member 20 rotates in the direction shown in the figure. 4. Tilt as shown in [P2]. When the operating force applied to the operating member 20 is released from the state shown in [P2], the operating member 20 returns to the neutral position shown in [P0] by the urging force of the urging member 50.

Further, when an operating force is applied to the operating member 20 from the neutral position in the direction of arrow c, the second interlocking member 40 rotates around the second rotation axis AX2, and the operating member 20 is rotated as shown in [P3] in FIG. lean towards it. When the operating force applied to the operating member 20 is released from the state shown in [P3], the operating member 20 returns to the neutral position shown in [P0] by the urging force of the urging member 50. On the other hand, when an operating force is applied to the operating member 20 from the neutral position in the direction of the arrow d, the second interlocking member 40 rotates in the opposite direction around the second rotation axis AX2, and the operating member 20 rotates in the direction shown in the figure. 4. Tilt as shown in [P4]. When the operating force applied to the operating member 20 is released from the state shown in [P4], the operating member 20 returns to the neutral position shown in [P0] by the urging force of the urging member 50.

Furthermore, when an operating force is applied to the operating member 20 from the neutral position in a direction other than arrows a, b, c, and d, the components in the directions of arrows a, b, c, and d in the direction in which the operating force is applied are Accordingly, the first interlocking member 30 and the second interlocking member 40 rotate, and the operating member 20 is tilted to a position other than [P1], [P2], [P3], and [P4]. That is, the operating member 20 can be tilted in any direction of 360 degrees when viewed along the Z-axis.

(First interlocking member)
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multidirectional input device according to this embodiment.
FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view along a plane that includes the first rotation axis AX1 and is orthogonal to the Y-axis.
6 and 7 are schematic diagrams illustrating the operation of the first interlocking member.
The first interlocking member 30 is pivotally supported by the housing 10 at a first shaft support 31 . The structure of this pivot is not limited. In this embodiment, as an example, the contact between the first shaft support 31 and the housing 10 is a rolling contact, and the first rotation axis AX1 passes through the contact portion between the first shaft support 31 and the housing 10. The structure is as follows. A specific example of this is a case where rolling contact is formed by a convex portion and a concave portion when viewed along the first rotation axis AX1 at the contact portion between the first shaft support 31 and the housing 10. .

In this embodiment, the housing 10 has a pressure receiving part 11 that is pressed from the first shaft support 31. The pressure receiving portion 11 is, for example, a V-shaped projection. Further, the first shaft support 31 is provided with a V-shaped recess for receiving the V-shaped protrusion of the pressure receiving portion 11 . When viewed along the first rotation axis AX1, the recessed portion of the first shaft support 31 includes a V-shape that is wider than the angle of the V-shaped protrusion of the pressure receiving portion 11. The V-shaped protrusion of the pressure-receiving portion 11 and the V-shaped valley of the recess of the first shaft support 31 come into contact with each other, resulting in rolling contact around the first rotation axis AX1. Due to such rolling contact, the frictional force at the contact portion becomes smaller than when the first shaft support 31 and the housing 10 are in sliding contact.

The first shaft support 31 is provided only on one side of the first interlocking member 30 on the first rotation axis AX1. An arm portion 33 is provided on the first rotation axis AX1 on the opposite side of the first interlocking member 30 from the first shaft support 31.

The operating member 20 is connected to the first interlocking member 30 by fitting the fitting protrusion 23 into the fitting hole 30a provided in the first interlocking member 30. The fitting hole 30 a that fits into the fitting protrusion 23 is included in the connecting portion 305 of the first interlocking member 30 . Therefore, the first interlocking member 30 has the position of the fitting protrusion 23 of the operation member 20 and the position of the first shaft support 31 on one side with respect to the position of the operation member 20 on the first rotation axis AX1. It is supported by

In this embodiment, the first interlocking member 30 has a first portion 301, a second portion 302, and a flexible portion 300. The first portion 301 is a portion that includes the connecting portion 305 , and the second portion 302 is a portion that includes the first pivot support 31 . The flexible portion 300 is located between the first portion 301 and the second portion 302 and serves as a bending fulcrum for the first portion 301 and the second portion 302.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the operating member 20 is not pushed, the urging force applied from the urging member 50 to the operating member 20 causes the first interlocking member 30 to move in the extending direction D of the extending portion 22. A biasing force is applied to the Therefore, in this state, the first portion 301 of the first interlocking member 30 is not bent, and the first portion 301 and the second portion 302 are not substantially displaced relative to each other. Since the first portion 301 is not bent, the gap t between the arm portion 33 of the first interlocking member 30 and the displacement detection section 80 is maintained, and the displacement detection section 80 does not operate.

As shown in FIG. 7, when a push action is applied to the operating member 20, an external force F is applied to the operating member 20 in the opposite direction to the extending direction D. Since the operating member 20 is connected to the first interlocking member 30 through the connecting portion 305, the external force F is transmitted to the first interlocking member 30 via the connecting portion 305. When an external force F is applied to the connecting portion 305, the first portion 301 of the first interlocking member 30 bends with respect to the second portion 302 using the flexible portion 300 as a bending fulcrum. Due to this bending, the first portion 301 and the second portion 302 including the connecting portion 305 are displaced relative to each other, and specifically, the first portion 301 is displaced in a direction opposite to the extending direction D.

Here, the arm portion 33 of the first interlocking member 30 is located further distal than the connecting portion 305 when viewed from the flexible portion 300. Therefore, a relationship is established in which the flexible portion 300 serves as a fulcrum, the connecting portion 305 serves as a point of effort, and the arm portion 33 serves as a point of action. Therefore, the amount of displacement in the arm portion 33 in the direction opposite to the extending direction D is larger than the amount of displacement of the connecting portion 305, and contacts the displacement detection portion 80 to activate the displacement detection portion 80. In FIG. 7, this displacement of the arm portion 33 is indicated by a clockwise arrow. In this way, the displacement detection section 80 functions as a flexure detection section that detects the flexure of the first portion 301 based on the external force F caused by the push motion, thereby detecting the push motion.

On the other hand, even when the first interlocking member 30 receives an external force F due to a push operation from the operating member 20, the first portion 301 side is bent using the flexible portion 300 as a bending fulcrum, so the second portion 302 is This makes it less susceptible to displacement of the first portion 301 including 305. That is, by providing the flexible portion 300, the displacement of the first portion 301 and the displacement of the second portion 302 can be separated. Less susceptible to push movements.

On the other hand, when the first interlocking member 30 receives an external force F' that causes displacement (rotation) around the first rotation axis from the operating member 20, the first interlocking member 30 moves the first rotation axis based on the external force F'. 31 is displaced (rotated) around the first rotation axis. In this way, the first interlocking member 30 can perform different operations depending on the direction of the external force that the first interlocking member 30 receives from the operating member 20. Thereby, in the multidirectional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to appropriately identify the external force F and the external force F'.

Here, a magnet 62 facing the magnetic sensor 61 is arranged in the second portion 302. Even if a push operation is applied to the operating member 20, the second portion 302 is not easily affected by the push operation, so that a change in the relative position between the magnet 62 and the magnetic sensor 61 is suppressed when the push operation is performed. Therefore, the possibility of erroneously detecting the push motion of the operating member 20 as a tilting motion is reduced.

Further, when a push operation is applied to the operating member 20 and an external force F is applied to the connecting portion 305 of the first interlocking member 30, the second portion 302 is displaced in a direction other than rotation around the first rotation axis AX1. It is preferable that a presser portion 307 is provided to suppress this. The holding portion 307 is provided, for example, on the housing 10 or the bottom plate member 15. The holding portion 307 is arranged to face a portion 302a of the second portion 302 on the opposite side of the first portion 301 with respect to the first rotation axis AX1.

This portion 302a is easily affected by the displacement (displacement due to bending or return) of the first portion 301 due to the application or release of external force F. By arranging the holding portion 307 to face this portion 302a, when the external force F is applied to the connecting portion 305 of the first interlocking member 30 and the first portion 301 is displaced, the displacement of the second portion 302 is prevented. Can be suppressed. Specifically, the second portion 302 is suppressed from being displaced clockwise together with the first portion 301. Thereby, the possibility that a similar displacement occurs in the first shaft support 31 and the first rotation axis AX1 shifts is reduced.

When the multi-directional input device 1 is used, an external force F that provides a push operation and an external force F' that causes rotation around the first rotation axis AX1 may be applied simultaneously. Even if the first rotation axis AX1 is displaced by the external force F, the multi-directional input device 1 detects the displacement based on the external force F and appropriately controls the rotation based on the external force F'. can be detected.

As described above, in the configuration in which the first portion 301 of the first interlocking member 30 is bent relative to the second portion 302 using the flexible portion 300 as a bending fulcrum, the bending rigidity of the flexible portion 300 is It is preferable that the bending rigidity is lower than the bending rigidity of the first continuous portion connected to the flexible portion 300 in the second portion 301 and the bending rigidity of the second connected portion connected to the flexible portion 300 in the second portion 302. As a result, when the first portion 301 bends, the flexible portion 300 can be reliably bent and deformed, and deformation of other portions can be suppressed, particularly for rotation detection performed by the second portion 302. The effects of this can be further reduced.

When the flexible part 300, the first continuous part, and the second continuous part are integrally formed from the same material, the flexible part 300 has a wall thinner than either the first continuous part or the second continuous part. What is necessary is to provide a section. As a result, even if the flexible portion 300, the first continuous portion, and the second continuous portion are integrally formed from the same member, the bending rigidity of the thin portion of the flexible portion 300 is lower than that of the first continuous portion. The bending rigidity can be lower than that of the second continuous portion, and the flexible portion 300 can be bent.

As described above, in this embodiment, in order to more easily detect the bending of the first portion 301, the arm portion 33, which is the detected portion of the displacement detection portion 80, is located closer to the connecting portion 305 when viewed from the flexible portion 300. is also located distally. As a result, the amount of displacement of the arm portion 33 becomes larger than the amount of displacement of the connecting portion 305, making it easy to increase the sensitivity of displacement detection. For example, in a push operation, even if the push stroke is short, the displacement detection section 80 can be operated reliably.

(Push action by operating member)
FIGS. 8A to 10B are cross-sectional views illustrating a push operation by the operating member.
Each of FIGS. 8A to 10B is a cross-sectional view taken on a plane that includes the first rotation axis AX1 and is orthogonal to the Y-axis.

FIG. 8A shows a state in which the operating member 20 is in a neutral position, and FIG. 8B shows a state in which a push operation is applied to the operating member 20 in the neutral position.
As shown in FIG. 8A, before the operating member 20 performs the push operation in the neutral position, the first interlocking member 30 is forced to extend the extension portion 22 due to the urging force applied to the operating member 20 from the urging member 50. A biasing force is applied in the exit direction D. In this state, the arm portion 33 of the first interlocking member 30 is not in contact with the displacement detection section 80 to the extent that the displacement detection section 80 is activated.

As shown in FIG. 8B, when a push action is applied to the operating member 20, the operating member 20 overcomes the urging force from the urging member 50 and is pushed in. As a result, the arm portion 33 side of the first interlocking member 30 that is fitted with the operating member 20 bends using the flexible portion 300 of the first interlocking member 30 as a bending fulcrum, and is pushed toward the displacement detection portion 80 side. It will be done.

Here, the first interlocking member 30 is fitted with the operating member 20, but is supported at the position of the first shaft support 31 on the first rotation axis AX1. Therefore, the fitting position between the operating member 20 and the first interlocking member 30 (the fitting position between the fitting protrusion 23 and the fitting hole 30a shown in FIG. 3) is in the direction along the first rotation axis AX1. It is closer to the first shaft support 31 than the arm portion 33 at this point. Therefore, when a pressing force due to the push operation of the operating member 20 is applied to the first interlocking member 30, the fulcrum (bending fulcrum) is located at the flexible portion 300 of the first shaft support 31, and the operating member 20 and the first interlocking member The fitting position with 30 becomes the point of force, and the tip of the arm part 33 becomes the point of action. Therefore, the amount of displacement caused by the push operation of the operating member 20 is magnified in the arm portion 33, and the arm portion 33 reliably contacts the displacement detection portion 80 located below the arm portion 33, thereby activating the displacement detection portion 80.

FIG. 9A shows a state in which the operating member 20 is tilted around the second rotation axis AX2, and FIG. 9B shows a state in which a push operation is applied to the operating member 20 in the tilted position.
As shown in FIG. 9A, when the operating member 20 is tilted around the second rotation axis AX2, the bottom cover 25 is also tilted together with the operating member 20. As a result, the bottom cover 25 receives a reaction force from the bottom plate member 15 and is pressed in the extending direction D, acting to contract the biasing member 50 within the cylindrical portion 21. In this state, since the biasing force of the biasing member 50 is applied to the first interlocking member 30, the arm portion 33 of the first interlocking member 30 is in contact with the displacement detection unit 80 enough to activate the displacement detection unit 80. do not have.

As shown in FIG. 9B, when a push action is applied to the operating member 20 in the tilted state, the operating member 20 overcomes the urging force from the urging member 50 and is pushed in. As a result, the arm portion 33 side of the first interlocking member 30 that is fitted with the operating member 20 bends using the flexible portion 300 of the first interlocking member 30 as a bending fulcrum, and is pushed toward the displacement detection portion 80 side. It will be done. As a result, the arm portion 33 comes into contact with the displacement detection section 80, and the displacement detection section 80 is activated.

FIG. 10A shows a state in which the operating member 20 is tilted around the first rotation axis AX1, and FIG. 10B shows a state in which a push operation is applied to the operating member 20 in the tilted position.
As shown in FIG. 10A, when the operating member 20 is tilted around the first rotation axis AX1, the first interlocking member 30 also rotates together with the operating member 20. Further, as the operating member 20 is tilted, the bottom cover 25 is also tilted. As a result, the bottom cover 25 receives a reaction force from the bottom plate member 15 and is pressed in the extending direction D, acting to contract the biasing member 50 within the cylindrical portion 21. Furthermore, although the first interlocking member 30 rotates, since the urging force of the urging member 50 is applied to the first interlocking member 30, the arm portion 33 of the first interlocking member 30 operates the displacement detection section 80. It is not so much in contact with the displacement detection section 80.

As shown in FIG. 10B, when a push action is applied to the operating member 20 in the tilted state, the operating member 20 overcomes the urging force from the urging member 50 and is pushed in. As a result, the arm portion 33 side of the first interlocking member 30 that is fitted with the operating member 20 bends using the flexible portion 300 of the first interlocking member 30 as a bending fulcrum, and is pushed toward the displacement detection portion 80 side. It will be done. It is pushed toward the displacement detection unit 80 using the position of the first shaft support 31 as a fulcrum. As a result, the arm portion 33 comes into contact with the displacement detection section 80, and the displacement detection section 80 is activated.

In this way, according to the multi-directional input device 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the push operation of the operating member 20 from affecting the detection of the rotation operation.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, the multidirectional input device 1 may have a configuration in which the second interlocking member 40 and the second rotation detection section 70 are not provided. Further, the gist of the present invention also includes those in which a person skilled in the art appropriately adds, deletes, or changes the design of each of the above-mentioned embodiments, or appropriately combines the features of the configuration examples of each embodiment. As long as it has the following, it is included within the scope of the present invention.

1... Multi-directional input device 10... Housing 10h... Hole 11... Pressure receiving part 12... Pivot contact part 15... Bottom plate member 15a... Component mounting part 17... Frame plate member 20... Operating member 21... Cylindrical part 21a... Internal upper wall 22... Extension portion 22a... Convex portion 23... Fitting protrusion 25... Bottom cover 30... First interlocking member 30a... Fitting hole 30h... Hole 30p... Pocket 31... First shaft support 33... Arm part 40... Second Interlocking member 40p...pocket 41...second shaft support 42...arch portion 42h...hole 50...biasing member 60...first rotation detection section 61...magnetic sensor 62...magnet 70...second rotation detection section 71...magnetic sensor 72...Magnet 80...Displacement detection part 90...Circuit board 300...Flexible part 301...First part 302...Second part 302a...Part 305...Connecting part 307...Holding part AX1...First rotation axis AX2...Second time Dynamic axis AX3...Neutral axis D...Extension direction F...External force t...Gap

Claims

A casing and
an operating member capable of tilting that rotates around a first rotation axis;
A first shaft support that is rotatably supported by the housing around the first rotation axis and a connecting portion that contacts the operation member, and that rotates in conjunction with a tilting operation of the operation member. interlocking member;
a first rotation detection unit that detects rotation of the first interlocking member;
Equipped with
The first interlocking member is located between a first part including the connecting part, a second part including the first pivot support, and the first part and the second part, and is arranged between the first part and the second part. a flexible portion serving as a bending fulcrum for the second portion;
A multi-directional input device, wherein a bending of the first portion based on an external force received by the connecting portion from the operating member is detected by a bending detection portion.
The multi-directional input device according to claim 1, wherein the detected portion of the bending detection portion is located further distal than the connecting portion when viewed from the flexible portion.
further comprising a biasing member that applies a return force to the operating member to return the operating member to a neutral position,
The biasing member biases the operating member to press the first shaft support of the first interlocking member against the casing, and when the external force on the first interlocking member is released, The multi-directional input device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first portion is restored from bending.
The housing has a holding portion that suppresses displacement of the second portion in a direction other than rotation around the first rotation axis when the external force is applied to the connecting portion. The multi-directional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
a second shaft support rotatably supported by the casing around a second rotation axis that intersects with the first rotation axis, and which rotates in conjunction with the tilting operation of the operating member; interlocking member;
a second rotation detection section that detects rotation of the second interlocking member;
The multi-directional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising the following.
Claims 1 to 5, wherein the first rotation detection unit includes a magnetic force generation source provided in the second portion, and a magnetic sensor provided at a position where the magnetic force from the magnetic force generation source can be measured. The multi-directional input device according to any one of the above.
The bending rigidity of the flexible part is higher than the bending rigidity of a first continuous part connected to the flexible part in the first part and the bending rigidity of a second continuous part connected to the flexible part in the second part. The multidirectional input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the multidirectional input device is low.
The flexible part, the first continuous part, and the second continuous part have parts integrally formed from the same member, and the flexible part has a part that is integrally formed with the first continuous part and the second continuous part. The multi-directional input device according to claim 7, having a thinner portion than any of the portions.
Claims 1 to 8, wherein the contact between the first shaft support and the casing is a rolling contact, and the first rotation axis passes through a contact portion between the first shaft support and the casing. The multi-directional input device according to any one of the above.
The multidirectional input device according to claim 9, wherein the rolling contact is configured by a convex portion and a concave portion when viewed along the first rotation axis.